COVID Paid Me a Visit
This particular Sunday was like any of my other Sundays. I woke up, chatted with my J's (children, Justin and Jessica), and played with Bailee (my Chihuahua "fur baby"). I got dressed, attended church service via virtual campus, and so on. There was something different however...A very irritating, itchy feeling in the back of my throat that I'd awakened with.
My first signs of COVID
Other than being annoying, it didn't bring me much pause, although it lasted all day. But that night, it got so bad that it actually woke me up multiple times during the night. When I got up Monday morning, accompanying my scratchy throat was a stuffy nose, a slight headache, and a feeling that I couldn't characterize as "bad," though "good" wouldn't have been an accurate assessment either. To be safe, I took a COVID test which read negative. "A little cold...just what I figured," I thought.
Managing COVID and MS symptoms
Later that Monday afternoon, the slight headache was full throttle, my throat was even worse, and I had chills, felt feverish, and had depleted energy. I definitely was feeling bad now and took a second test that afternoon. The results confirmed that COVID-19 had indeed paid me a visit almost three years post-pandemic onset.
Never to be outdone, MS decided to join us as well by that night and ensured it brought plenty of fatigue, no feeling in my hands, feet, or legs, and saw to it my muscles were even weaker. I felt like a vegetable. Some people who've had COVID describe being hit by a bus or truck. As horrible as Monday turned out, that description was my Tuesday. I woke up to all of the aforementioned symptoms quadrupled, plus a painful cough that hurt my throat and burned my chest.
The emotional side of COVID
In addition to feeling absolutely horrid physically, there were some emotional concerns I had to contend with. There was uncertainty, uneasiness, and, if I were being totally honest, a smidgen of fear. COVID had gone through my sister's home more than once actually, and one of my nephews is diagnosed with Down Syndrome. They all made out fine. In fact, I know plenty who have made it out fine - with or without the vaccine, underlying health issues, or proper care or medication. And then I know some who, sadly, did not. And then there is me. Feeling so bad that you don't feel like television, writing, reading, talking. or even listening to music. What are you left with? Your thoughts.
My worries
Mine were: What about me? How will it affect me? Will my children be able to care for me at home (and without getting it themselves)? Might it trigger something else? Will it affect my MS and send it soaring to higher heights? Will I have to be hospitalized? Will it affect my respiratory system? Could this turn fatal? Plausible thoughts? I think so because, realistically, for all the pep talks and well wishes, you really don't know, right? No. You don't.
My journey back to better health
Thankfully, I was spared from an extreme bout of COVID. In fact, as soon as Wednesday, I felt better than Tuesday and Thursday was even better than Wednesday. By then, other than the harsh cough, the worst part was "Paxlovid mouth." My doctor had prescribed vitamin C and D (which I already take) and an antiviral drug called Paxlovid, to lessen the severity of COVID. Unfortunately, one of its side effects is dysgeusia, an altered taste in the mouth. Of course, everyone may not get it, but I was one that did. That strong, constant bitter taste in my mouth was a horrid experience, but the benefits of the medicine far surpassed that nasty taste.
I was left with nothing but weakness which my therapist is diligently working on to help me rebuild. Even my MS reluctantly stepped back a bit - just hovering about like it always does. I say all this to say, I didn't want any company, but COVID paid me a visit anyway. It could have been so much worse, but I am so grateful it wasn't.
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